Understanding Behaviour Under Pressure: Mental Health & Neurodiversity

Understanding Behaviour Under Pressure: Mental Health & Neurodiversity in Practice

This session is particularly relevant for professionals in security, policing, custody, community safety, and public-facing roles, where rapid decision-making is essential.

Terrorism and serious crime remain key concerns for national security, with multiple professions working together to reduce risk. Mental health specialists frequently collaborate with police and security teams across forensic, custody, liaison, and learning disability settings. However, many adults involved in these systems were once young people whose needs were missed, dismissed, or misunderstood—leading to significant personal and societal cost.

The workshop explores how a more proactive understanding of mental health and neurodiversity can improve outcomes, reduce risk, and support safer practice.

Fraud is now one of the most commonly experienced crimes in the UK, often leaving victims with shame, guilt, and reluctance to engage. At the same time, many professionals report feeling underprepared to recognise and respond effectively to neurodivergence or poor mental health.

The M Word CIC specialises in supporting neurodivergent individuals experiencing mental ill health, while Emotional Problem Solving Ltd provides research-informed training to equip professionals working in complex environments.

This workshop will help you to:

• Recognise behavioural and subtle indicators of poor mental health and neurodivergence
• Understand how anxiety impacts capacity, communication, and behaviour
• Differentiate between intent and distress to reduce risk and improve decision-making
• Apply practical, trauma-informed and neurodiversity-aware approaches in security and policing contexts
• Reflect on how standard interventions may escalate distress in some individuals
• Build confidence in engaging individuals who may be vulnerable, isolated, or difficult to reach

Poor mental health is often first observed through behaviour—but for neurodivergent individuals, the signs can be less obvious. Some may struggle to communicate (e.g. situational mutism), while others may respond with heightened anxiety or aggression. Without the right understanding, well-intentioned interventions can unintentionally escalate situations.

Spaces are limited, so we encourage early booking.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher The M Word cic